Local communities encouraged to apply for PHA small grants programme

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for small grants which can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) aims to work with local groups through its small grants programme to address health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland. The grants programme will also support a range of strategic themes and priorities under the ‘Making Life Better’ public health framework, in particular mental health, emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and self-harm.                                                                                                      

Fiona Teague, Acting Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement (West), PHA said: “This is a great opportunity for community and voluntary sector groups throughout Northern Ireland to access resources that can be used proactively to support health improvement in local communities. We are encouraging applicants to work collaboratively to develop innovative projects and most importantly involve local communities in project design.”

The small grants programme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring grants which can be used to support health improvement in local communities. Projects eligible for funding must encourage healthy lifestyle choices and support a range of themes and priorities relating to the ‘Making Life Better’ strategy, e.g. Giving every child the best start; Equipped throughout life; Empowering healthy living; Creating the conditions, empowering communities; Developing collaboration; and the ‘Take 5’ Steps to Wellbeing (Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, and Give and Take Notice).

The remit of the grant programme for this year will allow groups to apply for a range of projects to achieve better health and wellbeing for everyone through improved connection and partnership working.

The PHA has commissioned the CLEAR Project to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast Local Commissioning Group areas. Small grants are made available in the Northern area via the four community networks.

Brenda Morris, Manager of the CLEAR Project, said: “Small grants play a vital role in supporting programmes within the community. This work can take a range of forms from self-help and life skills initiatives supporting those in need to giving groups the opportunity to develop and build their capacity to help others.”

Two types of awards are available under the programme:

Award one: Grants of up to £1,000 for non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.

Award two: Grants of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.

Any group interested in applying for the small grants for the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast areas can find out more at www.dhcni.com/grants  Further details are available from the CLEAR Project on (028) 7138 3386 or clear@dhcni.com   

The closing date for small grant applications is Tuesday 23rd July 2019 at 3pm.

Small grants have already been allocated in the Northern area via the four community networks.